CAKE Byte 35.0: BUSTed

No matter where you look these days - movies, magazines, runways, teen idols, malls, porn - breasts are getting bigger, bolder and faker. Women are splurging big time on breast implants.

In 1999 alone, about 167,000 women got breast implants (according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Before and after shots are everywhere - encouraging women to feel that our current breast size and/or shape are inadequate, so why not indulge in a little "fixer-upper". The "Barbie-doll" body ideal - one that rarely exist in nature - is the expected ideal.

You ask, What is the history of breast implants? Well, here's what CAKE found out --

At the end of World War II, barrels of industrial silicone mysteriously disappeared from the docks of Japan (huh?); the silicone was injected into the breasts of Japanese prostitutes to make them more attractive to American GIs. The procedure became increasingly popular, and thousands of Las Vegas showgirls, actresses, and others in the entertainment business were injected with liquid silicone before it finally became illegal. Then, in 1962, implants consisting of a silicone envelope filled with silicone gel hit the market and the rest is...well, history.

What's the deal? Women want them, men seem to love them and the world keeps on spinning. Apparently, straight men (and many women) are simply obsessed with breasts. For some, the bigger the better, ad infinitum. For those of you around long enough to catch CAKE's expose on the Exotic Dancers Expo - you know the deal! (FYI - bet you never though about it, but, the human female is the only mammal that has mammary glands that are actually BOOBS, and not just a little nip. Think about it. When was the last time you saw, say, a cat with triple Ds???)

Women, including mainstream actresses, adult starlets and now models, have learned that - the bigger your boobs, the bigger your tips, the better your chances of landing a magazine cover, the more money you are likely bring in, etc. It's an economic reality for women - as a whole American society is rewarding women for altering their bodies. Putting money into boobs is an increasingly worthwhile investment for women. When it comes to our breasts, CAKE believes that the need for implants is foremost a factor of economic, social and cultural power, which translates into pure $$$.

Many argue that this social pressure means that women don't really want fake boobs but are forced by our society to get them. But, CAKE knows it's not a black and white issue. CAKE trusts women -- we believe in a woman's right to choose, including the right to get enhanced. What we do question is why the act of going under the knife to remodel our breasts for purely aesthetic purposes does not warrant a similar backlash in our own culture as do many other inherently harmful, pleasure reducing, controlling, culturally inflicted practices such as foot binding and female genital circumcision in other cultures. We need to keep asking -- What is the balance between choice, freewill and owning our sexuality?

Women's body image, including our feelings about our breasts, both positive and negative, is directly linked to our ability to experience orgasm in the company of another. In other words, if we love our tits, asses, vulvas and everything in between, we are more likely to "come" with a partner, than not. In the end, breast implants make some women feel better about their sexual selves, and to some extent, that's a good thing. On the other hand, we now know that there are potentially serious physical side effects and grave health implications that come along with these sorts of mental benefits - a questionable trade off.

To promote our sexual pleasure, let's get off on our breasts and pick up BUST Magazine- for women with something to get off their chests (www.bust.com). BUST's editorial insists in the pursuit of female pleasure, the acceptance of pleasure, and the allowance of pleasure, in whatever form it takes. Thanks to BUST for promoting the natural beauty of women's bodies, without marginalizing those of us who choose to enhance our bodies.

Question of the Month:

How does your body image affect your sexuality? SUBMIT your response at CAKE.REPORT.

Love,
CAKE